"The Reading Mother" by Strickland Gillian

The Reading Mother

I had a Mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellowed teeth,
“Blackbirds” stowed in the hold beneath.

I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings --
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each Mother of boys were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Chests of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I, you can never be --
For I had a Mother who read to me.

~ Strickland Gillian

Photo by Vavoom Photography

The Dunnville Chronicle ~ Karen Best

Karen Best, award-winning writer, photographer for The Dunnville Chronicle is leaving the paper for which she has worked for over 18 years.
We have often bragged about Karen's professionalism, objectiveness and thorough investigative reporting. Haldimand has benefited greatly from her tireless, long hours of journalism.
Thank you, Karen. We wish you only the best in your new endeavour. The Chronicle will be hosting an open house in Karen's honour on Friday, April 24 from 4 until 7 p.m.

Lois Marlatt ~ Childrens' Author

Lois Marlatt, author of seventeen childrens' books, made a surprise visit to The Neat Little Bookshop yesterday. Children and adults alike went along with Lois on imaginary trips across Canada. From a working ranch on the prairies to a train ride to the East Coast,characters Becca and Brock captured the imaginations of the Story Hour visitors.
Lois' books are available at The Neat Little Bookshop. Titles include "Canoeing on the Grand."

The Canadian Journal of Poetry and Critical Writing

Best of luck to Sile Englert on her entry in the Journal of Poetry and Critical Writing contest. We have read Sile's 2009 poem and can say that the competition will have to be good to beat her. "Contemporary Verse 2-Day Poem Contest."
Contestants were given ten words -- at midnight-- and forty-eight hours to come up with a poem using the ten words. This year's words were: parlour, effervescent, kumquat, noxious, sink, quagmire, gradation, improvise, freak and dial.
The contest is conducted annually by The Canadian Journal, a quarterly publication produced in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The winner's name will be posted as soon as it becomes available (We are sure that Sile will let us know).

2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Elizabeth Strout has won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with her novel, "Olive Kitteridge."
The Pulitzer judges said the book "packs a cumulative emotional wallop, bound together by polished prose and by Olive, the title character, blunt, flawed and fascinating."
Other books by Strout are Amy and Isabelle and Abide with Me.
Previous well-known winners: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton; The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck; Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell; The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings; Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; The Color Purple by Alice Walker; Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry; The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx.

York Grand River Society Antique Roadshow

The York Grand River Society's regular meeting is Tuesday evening, April 21, 7:30 p.m. at the Parish Hall in York.
Members and visitors are invited to bring heirlooms to Tuesday's meeting, an "Antique Roadshow" conducted by well-known, popular auctioneer, Jim Anderson, Esq. Everyone welcome. Light refreshments.

2009 Keep Toronto Reading

Glen Downie's collection of poems, "Loyalty Management," is this year's "One Book" chosen to keep Toronto reading. Downie confesses to his "heart being loaded/without the safety on."
Refecting on fatherhood, stay-at-home Dad's, his neighbourhood -- the Junction area of Toronto and other city landmarks as well as the theme of loyalty in business and government. Downie's sixth book of poetry is appropriately chosen for T.O.'s 175th centennial year.
keeptorontoreading.ca